The Macdonald files

Blue Mountains and Kangaroo Lake

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Hi since we last wrote we traveled to Coffs harbor..and took lots of evening beach pics..of the surfing beaches after Sydney which was wet but great fun..Check out the fruit bats in the park!then we traveled to the blue mountains which were beautiful..great canyons and waterfalls..just lovely.As you can see we spotted lots of kangaroos..and Flora and Seth fed one!We have driven miles of flat scrub land..you can easy drive a good few hours without seeing any sign of life..(apart from the wildlife).We have had a wonderful time 2 hours north of Melbourne with friends we have been made very welcome..and its been really relaxing.Went along to a church last Sunday and were invited to dinner..then went out on the Murray river in his little speedboat and fished(got 1 much to our kids delight).They invited us to Kangaroo lake yesterday and we had such a laugh in the boat..swimming..being pulled on a huge donut thing behind the boat..called a biscuit!!and then had a go at knee boarding..the Australians and their weird and wonderful sports are quite mad!!we had a fab time.Also the kids went kayaking…a great evening ended with a most amazing sunset..hope you like the pics..catch you soon..love Rachel.x

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Well we arrived safely in Brisbane Australia and were met by some friends who we only met once at the church in southport…and driven to their lovely home with a great pool. We have had a lovely few days with them..the kids have loved swimming and playing with their cute little dog..which follows Flora round everywhere!Dee the lady of the house was a hairdresser for 15yrs so she has given us all a much needed trim!!We have been thankful of their hospitality..it gives you time to sort out stuff like car hire..and sleep catch up!!When we arrived in Australia…we went through immigration..and Seth caused quite a stir by asking him”is there a library in Brisbane”he laughed and laughed he said he had been asked some things in his time..generally relating to sea world ..the zoo…gold coast theme parks…but never is there a library!!then we progressed to customs….it got better….we had to unpack nearly everything…he had to check all the soft toys..our hammock from Honduras…all the shells that the kids have picked up(believe me our kids collect stuff big time!)and Seth’s bottles of sand from various deserts couldn’t be allowed in…customs had a good laugh at us…and we figure the Australians are a pretty cool lot..full of fun..think we are going to like it here.We went to Brisbane yesterday to pick up a car but wouldn’t let us rent it..as there had been a misunderstanding on the internet..it said you could drive out of area..but as we want to go down to Adelaide..they wouldn’t cover it because they only had an office here..BLOW! so we returned again on the train..and have found a company who will let us drive round this vast country unlimited for a great price..and its new got aircon and a CD!cant wait!pick it up today! Accommodation here looks expensive compared to the states which is fantastic for families because you pay for the room..here you pay per person..or a family room means only 2 kids!!why is that!!families are getting larger again I heard!!in Honduras we also payed for the room and we were allowed to share beds and pack them in..which was great….but no..in civilized countries..the rules…are there!!much to the pain of our bank balance!Well best get back to it..kids have done a bit of writing this morning..also we found an amazing bookshop in Brisbane..all secondhand and exchange..so the kids are enjoying reading new stuff.They want to swim..but its raining and has been very unsettled for the last few weeks..but hot and sticky..so I will go and swim..we will call it PE!!lots of love to all can`t wait to see you all again.Love Rachel Hamish and Kids.xxxxx

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Hello and happy new year to you all. We flew yesterday from NZ to Vanuatu a group of Islands in the South Pacific..looks lovely but havn`t explored much yet.We are here for a week then back to NZ to catch a flight to OZ.The islands here are ruled by chiefs and you need to get thier permission to go on thier island…totally different way of life..very relaxed..we are pleased it runs on Macdonald time!Looking for a nice place by the water to eat tonight to bring in the new year..never done new year by the beach..think it will be great.It is very hot and wet..we are in rainy season..it is 31 celsius…rainy much of the time..and 80% humidity..hard to sleep..but thankfully have a fan in our room..which helps despite sounding like a helicopter!The children enjoyed mum and dad frantically trying to kill the most enormous flying cochroach sat on the wall near sleeing Flora..I had almost forgotten about tropical sized creatures due to civilized NZ!and what a joy it was to drink water out of a tap!I am thankful the children remain in good health and spirits they have missed home at Christmas time..but are enjoying all the bizarre and wonderful experiences.I hope they will not be too bored when we return..I think it will be an adjustment for them.Oh Hamish got a speeding fine in NZ..rather quiet for the rest of the day..as was his driving!!We all went to hot water beach that day..at low tide you dig a hole in the sand that fills up with boiling thermal water..fantastic the kids loved it.Hope to post some pics of cook islands and New Zealand we have found a good internet cafe in Vanuatu overlooking the harbour..it had movie night last night..they put up a screen and it was Star Wars..Seth was impressed!so we will post later..thanks for all that write to us..take care Happy New Year the Macdonalds.XXX

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